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Bloody Southerners: Clough and Taylor's Brighton & Hove Odyssey
In 1973, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor stunned the football world by taking charge of Brighton & Hove Albion, a sleepy backwater club that had rarely done anything in its 72-year existence to trouble the headline writers. The move made no sense. Clough was managerial gold dust, having led Derby County to the Football League title and the semi-finals of the European Cup. He and his sidekick Peter Taylor could have gone anywhere. Instead they chose Brighton, sixth bottom of the old Third Division.
Featuring never-before-told stories from the players who were there, Bloody Southerners lifts the lid for the first time on what remains the strangest managerial appointment in post-war English football, one that would push Clough and Taylor’s friendship and close working relationship to breaking point.
- GenresFootballNonfiction
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2018
12 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 21, 2018
There’s been so many books written about Brian Clough, that it’s actually quite surprising that none have covered he’s time at Brighton.
Vignes explores in detail both Clough and he’s assistant Taylor time at the club during the 1973/74 season. Taking on a team at the wrong end of the Third Division and steading the ship without anything spectacular probably explains why he’s time here is alway a footnote compared to the trophies at Derby and Nottingham Forest and failure at Leeds.
The Albion eventually made the top flight in 1979, I liked how it’s left to the reader to decided on how much of this was due to Clough and Taylor groundwork, would they have made it sooner if Clough has stayed longer?
I found it interesting that book also covered events around this time too, both from the ‘Three-Day Week’ (Id never considered that midweek games were played in the afternoon) to ABBA winning the Eurovision Song Contest at the Brighton Dome that summer.
I really got a feel for the era.
The book gives a balanced view on Clough, with numerous antidotes from past players.
It also touches on he’s alcoholism. Whilst also explaining that he was also willing to give young players their opportunities aswell.
A really insightful read, I felt like I’d learnt more about my teams history. It also covering the rest of he’s career in this book so it will appeal too all football fans too.
Vignes explores in detail both Clough and he’s assistant Taylor time at the club during the 1973/74 season. Taking on a team at the wrong end of the Third Division and steading the ship without anything spectacular probably explains why he’s time here is alway a footnote compared to the trophies at Derby and Nottingham Forest and failure at Leeds.
The Albion eventually made the top flight in 1979, I liked how it’s left to the reader to decided on how much of this was due to Clough and Taylor groundwork, would they have made it sooner if Clough has stayed longer?
I found it interesting that book also covered events around this time too, both from the ‘Three-Day Week’ (Id never considered that midweek games were played in the afternoon) to ABBA winning the Eurovision Song Contest at the Brighton Dome that summer.
I really got a feel for the era.
The book gives a balanced view on Clough, with numerous antidotes from past players.
It also touches on he’s alcoholism. Whilst also explaining that he was also willing to give young players their opportunities aswell.
A really insightful read, I felt like I’d learnt more about my teams history. It also covering the rest of he’s career in this book so it will appeal too all football fans too.
May 10, 2025
Need to watch the dammed united now
June 6, 2020
Full disclosure: my club is Brighton and Hove Albion.
I have been, on balance, a fan of Brian Clough. This well written book, for me, tipps the scales away for Mr Clough. It does rather look as if he used the club and took the money - so I felt a little let down by Brian.
That said football at the time had been using players and managers for years - so perhaps there is some leeway for understanding them wishing to make hay - especially considering their backgrounds.
Life is not simple and people are complicated, not least Brian and Peter, and Spencer does a good job of adding perspective and balance. The author also sheds a bit of light on a period of the club's history that I was not so familiar and I found that interesting.
If you are a Brighton fan get it. If You are interested in Clough and Taylor get it. For all other fans it will make for an interesting read on one of our most charismatic characters of the game.
I have been, on balance, a fan of Brian Clough. This well written book, for me, tipps the scales away for Mr Clough. It does rather look as if he used the club and took the money - so I felt a little let down by Brian.
That said football at the time had been using players and managers for years - so perhaps there is some leeway for understanding them wishing to make hay - especially considering their backgrounds.
Life is not simple and people are complicated, not least Brian and Peter, and Spencer does a good job of adding perspective and balance. The author also sheds a bit of light on a period of the club's history that I was not so familiar and I found that interesting.
If you are a Brighton fan get it. If You are interested in Clough and Taylor get it. For all other fans it will make for an interesting read on one of our most charismatic characters of the game.
December 30, 2018
In 1958 I went to my first football match. Middlesbrough v Fulham. Clough and Taylor both played which Boro lost 3-2. Fast forward sixty years and my grandson regularly attends the Amex watching Brighton in the premiership.
The story relies on the memories of those involved.
I don't believe Clough and Taylor come out of the story with their reputations intact. Thankfully a different era.
In 2018 Brighton and Hove Albion is a well run club with a lovely stadium and a decent manager in Chris Houghton.
The story relies on the memories of those involved.
I don't believe Clough and Taylor come out of the story with their reputations intact. Thankfully a different era.
In 2018 Brighton and Hove Albion is a well run club with a lovely stadium and a decent manager in Chris Houghton.
December 20, 2021
a not very sympathetic take on Clough and Taylor for a change. Has a few interesting things to say about both main characters, but all in all is rather limited
March 28, 2024
Interested approach to a relatively minor stage of Clough’s career. It avoids simple descriptions of matches, and is not afraid to paint the protagonists in a negative light where necessary.
April 10, 2025
Can't get enough of Clough
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews